ISC annual census 2015

Lisa Evans

01 May 2015

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has released its Annual Census for 2015 showing record numbers of pupils attending independent schools. The report is based on a survey completed in January 2015 by the 1,267 independent schools across the UK that collectively make up ISC.

As noted by Barnaby Lenon, Chairman at the ISC, the results of the survey ‘provide confirmation of the resilience and stability of the sector’, with ‘pupil numbers now at their highest level since records began in 1974’. Current figures show that 517,113 pupils are currently attending ISC schools.

Key highlights, as outlined by ISC, include:

Highest number of pupils at independent schools since records began
Biggest increase in pupil numbers at ISC schools since the start of the economic crisis

14% of all school pupils aged 16 and over attend an ISC school, with children moving to independent schools at all stages throughout their education

Pupil numbers in Wales and the North, hardest hit by the recession, increase

More pupils than ever before, one third of all pupils, receive help with their fees, to a record value of over £800million